Female students across the island will get an introduction to “real-world readiness” through the return of a leadership programme launched in 2019.

Bermuda High School and HSBC bank has announced the third annual “She Leads” programme.

It is open to all female students, including home-schooled pupils.

The skills building programme runs from July 4 to 8 at the BHS Innovation Centre, with applications accepted until May 27.

A statement from the school said: “The BHS Charitable Trust, with HSBC’s support, is proud to continue this groundbreaking public-private partnership, designed to connect students across schools and provide them with a meaningful leadership and development programme.

“The weeklong programme will teach the young women coping skills for stress, boost their confidence, strengthen their resilience and ultimately build their leadership skills.”

“She Leads“ was created by Christie Hunter-Arscott, a 2001 BHS alumna.

She is also an adviser on gender issues, author and speaker.

The programme is an extension of the “I Lead” leadership framework piloted at BHS in 2019.

This year the programme has 22 spots available to students from the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy, with 11 places available for BHS pupils, and two each to the rest of the private schools: Bermuda Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Saltus, Somersfield Academy and Warwick Academy.

Two places are available for home-schooled students.

Judy Doidge, HSBC’s corporate secretary and executive sponsor of “She Leads”, said the expansion of the programme gave young women a “unique opportunity to broaden their networking circle with their peers across Bermuda”.

“Each year, the young female cohort impresses us with their intellect, confidence and poise with some of the past participants becoming young entrepreneurs and/or moving on to higher education.

“We have been a proud supporter of the ‘She Leads’ initiative over the past three years and find these young women inspiring, with very bright futures ahead.”

The week comes with speakers, workshops and personal reflection.

Workshops include an HSBC financial literacy seminar; the three-hour public speaking “boot camp” WeSpeak Bermuda, and a “Building Your Resiliency Toolbox” workshop with Lorrie Peniston of the psychology firm Synergy.

Ms Hunter Arscott will present a workshop on risk-taking and share from her new book Begin Boldly: How Women Can Reimagine Risk, Embrace Uncertainty, and Launch a Brilliant Career.

Beyond Fitness will offer a workout session and talk about the importance of self-care and health, and participants will hear from Clare O’Connor, global head of editorial content on the meeting app Bumble, on “Making the First Move: How Women Can Network, Get Ahead and Lift Each Other Up”.

There will be a “Dress for Success” visit to Orange Bay, and internal workshops on building confidence and networking.

Linda Parker, head of school at BHS, said the school welcomed another summer cohort to the “phenomenal” programme.

“The transformation of the young women over the course of the week affirms the powerful impact this programme has on each of them.

“The networking opportunities and friendships they form over the week are invaluable.”

Students can apply by submitting their reasons for wanting to take part in a letter, e-mail, song, poem, piece of artwork, or video.

It should be sent to sheleads@bhs.bm by May 27.

Successful applicants will be informed in the first week of June.